Peppermint Friday Review #47: Pride

Back again, but this is to make up for missing last week so aren't you lucky two Peppermint Friday Reviews in one day wow! We're gonna be talking about another monumental event to happen in Great Britain and that's Gay Pride well not the proper event in London its the accepting and the beginning of the LGBT community well I think anyway, they're still a few people who don't accept it. 

The story takes place 1984 during the Miners Strike, and a group of Gay and Lesbians who work in a book shop called Gay's The Word decide to raise money for the miners, a campaign called LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners). Mark Ashton played by Ben Schnetzer who has idea for raising money for the miners and initially everyone is against the idea, because everyone including miners hates them. They get help from a very small tight knit Welsh Village called Onllwyn, and some in the village were very opposed to the idea of Gay and Lesbians around them.

Everyone in the group has such strong personalities, it wonderful you've got Steph who is the only lesbian of the founding members of the group, she is just brilliant very hard skinned and can come across as cold, but I think its because she's northern. Ben Schnetzer who plays Mark Ashton was just brilliant, I didn't realise he was American until now and he just excels at this part and nails the accent, Mark was Northern Irish. There was a fictional character called Joe 'Bromley' played by George Mackay who was coming to terms with his sexuality and being apart of the LGBT world, I loved it because it was kinda like an audience perspective and we were on his journey aswell. 

In Onllwyn the people who welcome LGSM are brilliant like Sian James who was just outstanding towards to the group and made a real difference afterwards. Heffina Headon who was played by Imelda Staunton who was again as always she is just sensational and that alone is a good enough reason to watch a film. I loved how in the 80s people were still so prejuiced but also some were really really open minded and accepting about the whole thing. Like some of the elderly were so wonderful and brilliant towards them and just treated them and spoke to them like normal people which they are. The dialogue of the film and the way it was written, it was just perfect and the way a political biopic should be. 

It was just so fluid and tide everything together, the way Mark cared so much about his group and the fundraising, being gay and proud of it he just did it with such passion and fire. Its something so brilliant to watch and its funny because now in 2017 noone in the UK at least really cares if you're gay well there are some people who just don't get it, but from the 1980s and now its a different world but its also the same you've got people still fighting for rights and people are political back then and now even more so. The costumes of the film and the colour, the settings from London to the quaint Welsh Village is brilliant and I love that diversity and seeing the difference but not at the same time. 

This film is just brilliant its film whether you're into Politics or not, believe me its only since last year I got into Politics, so for me its still very new. Also whether you are part of the LGBT Community or not its still a fascinating film with great characters and story, with amazing elements to it. It's also around the same time of people finding out about Aids and the whole you're gonna die as soon as you touch a gay person and what have you. Its a wonderful film and everyone should watch this and enjoy it, its still on BBC IPlayer if you wanna watch it. 

Peppermint Friday Review #43: Top Gun

We're gonna talk about Top Gun today as its very american and that's the theme for this week. Its so such an amazing film, its an iconic 80s classic with Tom Cruise and has amazing quotes so it would be a crime if I didn't do a review of this. 

Its directed by Tony Scott who is Ridley Scott's brother. The story is about a pilot called Maverick (played by Tom Cruise) who is sent to Top Gun School with his co-pilots and friends. His time there he's reckless with his flying and can put people at odds with him. He also meets this astrophysicist called Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (played by Katy McGillis). As the film and story progress he pines for her attention and on top of that he wants to be the very best fighter pilot ever. 

I love this film so much, the characters are brilliant not only Maverick as I know so many guys who try to emulate him. Its funny because growing up I always wondered by boys acted like this, and maybe its because of Tom Cruise and I don't blame them because he is the artificial arrogant a-hole who gets the girl and is top of the class yet still got that James Dean 1980s charm about him. This is probably the first film I've watched of his that I actually have a crush on him, because before I didn't really still don't but there we go. 

This film is so 80s I love it, the hair on Charlie her clothes look incredible. I love that she was based of a true person as it makes the character so much better and gives her a much more lifelike image, and that she's a real person. I need her clothes so badly, her hair is just so gorgeous. The scenes with her and Maverick are brilliant, as they are both such different people, they should be together it'd be crazy for them not to be. The chemistry between them is just stunning the sex scenes are done so wonderfully it doesn't look cheap and tacky its sensual. The music really ties the film together so well, its so 80s but back then it was a modern film and I love that. 

One thing I love about this film, is that its an action but its not an action film entirely theirs love in this film. Which is great for those who are action virgins I should say, if you've never watched an action before I feel like I say that about every action film I watch as I just find them so easy to watch. The story has so many elements to it and Maverick's friends who I love and I just think they're so brilliant to watch, my personal favourites were Iceman, Goose, Stinger, they really caught my eye. The names of the friends sound like they're from a Carry On film, but they're not well sometimes they are. Most of the time its serious business thats what I love about this film, its got quite cartoony names but they're real men.

                                                           

If you like 80s films then give this film a watch as its amazing, its got brilliant music, actors the story is wonderful. Even if you're not too keen on action films give it a chance as its so good and doesn't feel like an action film if that makes sense as it has so many genres and styles added on to it. 

Peppermint Friday Review #40: Amelie

This is a weird one as its a film thats pretty much on every list of 'Films You Should See Before You Die' most of the time I don't listen to these lists as they are written by white old men, and the same with Books aswell. Not to say that Classic older films are bad not at all, because we all know how I feel about old films! but if you haven't watch a film thats on that list its like 'you can't truly call yourself a film buff!' and I don't agree with that, but we're gonna talk about this film and is it worth it being on those list? 

This is a weird film directed and story by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, as the storyline for me anyway didn't make much sense, from what I got its about a girl called Amelie (played by Audrey Tautou) and her life story I guess from when she was a girl who was very lonely and still is in her adult years, developed a very active imagination.  Its the first live action French film I've ever watched, its also I think anyway one of the first French films to make it into the Mainstream Film Industry I guess, so thats really good and I can see why. The film is entirely in French and I don't speak French or understand it but I enjoyed the film very much its not my favourite film or the best film I've seen but its a good film.

Its funny because the way people talk about this film is as if there is no other film quite like it at the time of its release which was in 2001 but not anymore I don't think because there are films and tv shows I've seen that are in the same vein as this. For example Submarine that film is very similar to this not in the story line but the genre its about quirky people, its about love and the stylising and colours of different scenes are very similar, but baring in mind that Submarine came out in 2010 and this in 2001. But I love the colours and the style of this film, the costumes are wonderful too as they really represent each character and how they feel. 

One thing I do love about Amelie is the fact that she is a Waitress and I used to be a Waitress, so I feel abit of connection with her she is also very isolated kinda like me, but she uses her loneliness to help other people in her life. The film also has alot of sentinmental quotes as I've seen this film being quoted quite a lot, mainly by teenagers who think their so #weird. I love the quotes and the sentimentality of the film as it shows us we should help people if we can't help ourselves. Another thing with the antagonist and it made me laugh was her opinion I guess well she starts her job single, but not a virgin and her take on sex I think is funny. 

This film is very peculiar because its set in France and its the stereotypical venison of what we imagine of what France, it shines all the good bits. The peculiar thing is with the setting of the film we know its set from the 1970s when Amelie was born to late 90s-early 2000s. The costumes of what the characters are wearing is very in keeping with the times, but Amelie is very unique and shows to be the odd one out because she is wearing clothes that either don't fit in or that are abit quirky and different. I like the style and costumes of what she and the rest of the characters are wearing, all the colours its wonderful, but like with the Cafe Society Review if I only like the colours and scenery is it a film that's really worth watching? 

                                                                
I liked this film, mainly down to Amelie but would I watch it again if it was on Film4 then yeah. If you wanna watch a different film or you wanna get into French films or films that have no English in then give it ago 100%. I can definitely see all the inspirations that directors have taken from this film and what inspirations gave to this film. If I'm honest I'm abit lukewarm to this film as I liked it but I don't really see the hype in it, because there are films that are just as good and are in the same vein, but I can understand why people like it so much. Thank you for reading let me know what you think of this film and I'll see you all very soon have a great Peppermint Friday and I shall see you all next week! 

Film Tag

Never done one of these before, but why not? and plus you guys can to know me better and I thought it would be fun. So lets go!

1) How often do you watch a film? Considering I'm abit of a film buff and I have a film blog I try to watch atleast 3 or 4 a week.

2) What film genre are you particularly fond of? I love all genres, and I do try to find something good in each genre abit positive I know, not a bad thing at all though. If I had to choose then it would possibly be a Thriller/Drama but it depends on my mood really. 

3) What was the last film that you’ve watched and liked? I watched Bandidas recently and I loved it, I also watched Finding Nemo and Finding Dory because I was talking about it with a bunch of people, in a really deep way and I love those conversations and as soon as I got home I needed to watch it. 

4) What was the last film that you’ve watched and hated? I'm gonna leave you all in suspense and tell you all about it on Friday, because I don't think theres enough negativity on this blog which isn't a bad thing but I do think a film buff there should be some stuff we hate and with good reason. But heres a hint its based of a book and its quite popular, there you are have to wait until Friday!

5) What is your most favorite film of all time? ooh that is a tough one, I have a top 10 list so far, but the one I usually say to people when I can't think of my top ten is probably either A Matter Of Life and Death, or Young Frankenstein because people are always surprised when I say them and I always love that.

6) Your most favorite guilty pleasure film? I don't think I have one, because I love all the films I watch and noone should judge me, but I do have a bit of a thing for true crime stories so things like Moorside the BBC Drama based off true story of Shannon Matthews, and varies others things like that and also documentaries like that aswell. I'm obsessed with documentaries anyway, but its serial killers and all that evil stuff that actually really gets me, I don't want to be like that its just the fascination to me and the psychology behind it all. 

7) What film/films you have watched a million times already? All the Toy Stories, Big, Forrest Gump any Tom Hanks film. The Harry Potter series, Back to the Future series, and The Social Network. 

8) Are you the type who watch film on its first day of showing? Not really, depends how big of a fan I am when I watched Beauty and the Beast I saw that on the weekend it came out so that's how hardcore I am. 

9) Do you use fandango or do you pre-booked film tickets? I don't think we have Fandango in the UK, but no I don't usually pre book tickets for film sometimes for theatre but not really for film. 

10) Cinema, blu-ray, or download? I watch films in the Cinema when they're recent but if theres a DVD version or download either from Amazon, Itunes, or GooglePlay then I'll go for that. 

11) How often do you go to a Cinema to watch a film? Not that often, its really expensive now and where I live doesn't have a cinema so I have to go to the nearby city which is a bus ride 

12) What are the movies that made you cry? I'd say the end of Toy Story, Mary Poppins, Saving Mr Banks and the end of Marley and Me.

13) Do you watch foreign films? I've watched a few, but not a enough as I'd like but that is gonna change.

14) What’s your favorite foreign films? I haven't watched that many, but I'd say Persepolis, and Pinocchio 

15) Who are favorite directors? Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Sofia Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Danny Boyle the list is endless.

16) Are you particular with film scores, soundtracks, and musics? Its important yes, but its not the B all and end all, but they can make a film even better.

17) What film soundtrack can be found in your IPod? Do musicals count? because yes I have all the classic musicals, Singin in the Rain, Moulin Rouge, I even have La La Land aswell, along with all the Disney soundtracks and Pixar soundtracks. I also love Guardians of the Galaxy, Shrek, Perks of being a Wallflower, Hard Days Night (of course) all sorts. 

18) Have you ever watch a film alone in a cinema? Oh yeah, I usually do but when someone wants to come with me they are more than welcome. 

19) What is the best chick-flick for you? I love classic chick flicks, like anything with Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn because they are girly films, but they're also brilliant and not at all cringy, like the modern ones I find. 

20) Your favorite comic book film? ooh I love Spiderman, the Andrew Garfield films and Guardians of the Galaxy, Dark Knight, X Men, Fantastic Four.

21) Is there any film that has changed your perspective in life? A Matter of Life and Death definitely, The Cat Returns and Persepolis they're all wonderful for different reasons and changed my outlook on life, I've done in-depth reviews on them aswell.  

22) DC or Marvel films? That is so tough, I love both for different reasons, I love what they're doing on TV aswell. I just love both of them I can't decide, love 'em!

23) What are the films in the top 10 in IMDB that you have watched? I've watched 6 which is really bad for someone who's meant to be a film buff, but I promise you that will change.

24) Do you read film critic reviews before watching a film? its funny because I have a film blog and I write reviews and that I actually don't read reviews before I watch any film or take what people say into consideration as its opinion and that can vary someone likes one thing and you won't so I take it with a pinch of salt. 

25) What is the best film adapted from a book? Misery hands down

26) Watch the film before reading the book or vice versa? I do try to, because its better understanding of the story.

27) What is your most favorite comedy film? I love comedy, ahhh I love His Girl Friday, Hard Day's Night, Inbetweeners Movies, Charlie Chaplin films, Marx Brothers I love to laugh hahahaha 1000 points if you get that referance!

28) Drama film? ooh Angels with Dirty faces, Forrest Gump, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? theres like billions I could mention. 

29) Western film?  I haven't watched that many westerns, but I'd say Bandidas because its also funny and The Magnificent Seven. 

30) Romantic comedy film? Sabrina, Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot, 

31) Horror film? House on Haunted Hill, and The Invisible Man all the classics

32) Sports film? Haven't watched that many sports films, Chariots of Fire, Bend it Like Beckham

33) Sci-fi films? Brazil, Star Wars

34) Action films? The Spy Who Loved Me, Pulp Fiction, Kick Ass

35) War films? The Pianist, Diary Of Anne Frank, Saving Private Ryan

36) Who is your most favorite film couple? When I was a kid I was obessed with Elizabeth and Will from Pirates of the Caribbean and Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical, loved Jimmy Cagney and Jean Harlow in The Public Enemy and Peter and June from A Matter of Life and Death. 

37) Any film character you can relate to? urm, I can relate to Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffiany's, Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

38)  If you are to only watch five films for the rest of your life, what would the films be? Ah that's tough, I'd say Angels With Dirty Faces, A Matter Of Life and Death, Young Frankenstein, Breakfast at Tiffianys, Singin' In The Rain a bit of a mix of genres.  

39) Your least favorite film all time? Probably the reboot of Ghostbusters, nobody asked for it. 

40) Have you ever watched a film based on the lead actor/actress only? Oh yeah, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and anyone who I've seen in a film and I really liked them I'll watch them in another film. 

41) What film you expected and wanted to be good but failed you? I thought Suicide Squad would be better, I liked it but I wanted it to be amazing like Guardians of the Galaxy, and the next review I'm doing on Friday ooh the mystery. 

42) Favorite film character of all time? erm I don't think I have one, but I adore Peter from A Matter of Life and Death

43) Favorite film villain? I love the Joker, Voldemort, and Hannibal Lecter

44) Any film sequel you are still waiting? I don't think so, I'm not desperate for them to be honest.

45) Ever made a film review? Oh god no, hate 'em particularly Peppermint Friday haha jokes

46) Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Wars

47) Right now, think of any film, what comes first? Wonder Woman, and My Friend Dahmer because I wanna watch them next when they come out.

48) Favorite film lines? 'Happiness can only be found in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light'- Harry Potter 

49) TV series, books, computer games, or films in order of interest? Films, TV Series, Books and Computer Games

50) Lastly, if your life story is to be made into a film, who would you like to portray you? Who should be directing it and what would be the title? I'd love Audrey Hepburn or Catherine Zeta Jones to play me, and I'd love it Sofia Coppola or Stanley Kubrick, or Martin Scorsese and I don't know what the film would be called. 

I shall see you all on Friday have a wonderful week!

Peppermint Friday Review #34: Precious

I'm aware the posts have been abit wishy washy on this blog recently, but I kinda like it and hate it, I love the spontaneity of it all where I've just been watching films that people have told me to watch and I just didn't but now I am. Also I like the theme weeks and I kinda miss that to tell you the truth I'm kinda having 'blogger's block' but its okay, because it will pass. 

The film Precious is about a Claireece Precious Jones played by Gabourey Sidbe, and she is an illiterate overweight, very unhappy 16 year old girl living in 1987 Harlem. She lives with her son, and her mother Mary (played by Mo'Nique) who is unemployed and treats Precious horribly, and blames her for her boyfriend leaving, her boyfriend Precious's dad isn't around, and when he was around Precious was treated even worse by him, he raped her and treated her horrifically again. The film starts with Precious being kicked out of school for being pregnant again, and the dad being Precious's is dad, the school can't cope with her and kick her out and sent her to an alternative school. She finally learns to read and write by her new teacher Blu Rain (played by Paula Patton) she also meets a social worker called Ms Weiss (played by Mariah Carey) and learns about the goings on in Precious's life. 

I remember when this film came out and I dismissed it, and I'm glad I did and I'm annoyed I did at the same time, because the reason I dismissed this film was because I watched the trailer and it looked way too serious and well in my 12-13 year old words was 'boring'. I watch it now and its not the case at all, because trailers can be misleading and just give away the whole film so that's annoying. I'm glad because its such a serious film and has some issues that are so hard core like incest, its not a happy topic for a film. So I'm glad I'm a little bit older to understand the film and really properly like it, because its such a wonderfully written film. I already loved Gabourey Sidbe because she was in American Horror Story and I love that show, and she is such a good actress I love her. Fun fact she had no acting experience prior to this film, and was chosen over 300 people who auditioned for the role so go her. 

The film goes in flashbacks and fantasies of Precious's life and mindset, she imagines that she's this big Hollywood star having photoshoots and red carpet events, just loving life far from what her reality is. I love that because it shows that Precious does have some ambition and doesn't want to be like her mother. It's crazy to me that Mariah Carey is in this film, and doesn't look like herself when I read on IMDB that she was in it I thought 'Okay they've given her a part because the film needed abit of publicity and Mariah can say she's an actress, because she was in a film once' but its not the case at all, she look almost unrecognisable, I thought she'd play a very diva-ish character the persona Mariah puts up because she is an incredible singer, and surprisingly an amazing actress. 

The colours of the film is brilliant, I love how causal they made the 80s look, because usually its massive shoulder pads, bright colours just everywhere, and everyone listening to Cyndi Lauper or Prince. Its very causal and lets the story and character explain for themselves. Mo'Nique is fantastic she played a woman who had such a strong hatred for her daughter so wonderfully. The connection and chemistry between Gabourey and Mo'Nique is just brilliant they acted off each other really well they played a mother a daughter who had such a complicated relationship that they're meant to love each other but it turned into hate and something completely bitter. I love Precious as a character because she starts off being this very insecure girl who's confidence is completely torn by her mother and father. At the end and throughout yeah she doesn't get her dream but she learnt how to read and write and gathered confidence to stand up to her mother. 

Nothing is happy in the end, like theres no fairytale ending but Rome wasn't built in a day. We also learnt something about people, that we are complicated and do crazy stuff and no matter what age you are, you can do anything. Give this film a watch because it is so good and deserved all its awards and nominations it was given, because its such a wonderful story and it's not an easy story and film to watch you should bare that in mind before you watch it, and my only criticism of the film, its not really a criticism but its something you know. With that watch the film for Mariah Carey's brilliant acting performance and obviously Gabourey and Mo'Nique performances and also not to forget the amazing story of a young girl's journey of self confidence and self discovery.

Peppermint Friday Review #32: Imperium

This week's been weird I haven't watched that many films, but I have watched alot of TV as I've really gotten into that recently. But I watched this film last night and I just need to talk about it, Its one of those films. Its called Imperium and its got Daniel Radcliffe and Toni Collette and its about an FBI agent who goes undercover in a white supremacist group. 

The reason I watched this film was not because I love Daniel Radcliffe and I think he's a great actor, but the story is intriguing to me. Now before people go crazy at me and say 'Oh you're a racist how could you be interested in that?' I'm not interested where I wanna join cus I don't believe at all, but I'm interested in the sense of 'why do they believe that?' 'what makes them think that way?' kinda interested. I loved this film I don't think I've seen a film quite like it before, and that's great because I love individuality in a script and a concept of a story.

Daniel Radcliffe's character Nate Foster is a very nice, friendly, threatening and basically Switzerland and he had to evolve into a completely different person to who he was before. His head is shaved he's got a tattoo and shouting racist remarks and just is total opposite to what he was at the start of the film. But he still remains very friendly, and easy to get on with kinda person, Nate has to find someway to relate to these people, and understand why they do what they do. His ultimate main goal is to get to Dallas Wolf who is this radio talk show host, as he is a prime suspect to an attack somewhere. 

The community the group developed seemed very nice and friendly, like Nate and the people he was with went to BBQs. There were kids there and families and very friendly and opening place. Although this is fiction, so some truths are stretched slightly, but I found that interesting and really fascinating to watch as I didn't think it would be like that, I thought it would be very much like an American version of This is England, and it is but its not entirely there are some very nice and sweet characters like Gerry who is a happily married man with kids and at the end you feel guilty because you relate to Gerry and he seems like such a genuine guy and it does bode the question should you be friends with someone who believes in something quite controversial?

It did disappoint me slightly as I was expecting it to be really good and eyeopening, and I was interested and really liked it and I'm not sure what I was expecting but I just thought it would be really controversial and off the cuff story I've never seen before. Also I kinda wanted to see it from the White Supremacy perspective, because noone's agreeing with them, well I'm not I just wanna know why and get an intelligent response not just 'oh because'. But I really liked it, I guess my expectations were high, but I did enjoy it and everyone was really good. I especially liked Johnny he is a teenager who believes everything the White Supremacy believes in and in the end he is a changed man his attitude has changed and no longer believes in it. So I like that it has those characters that see change as a fresh start and leaving your former beliefs isn't a bad thing at all just a start to a new life. 

I love films like this, and what I mean by that is I like watching things that I can't relate to at all, I watch them because I'm fascinated and wanna see if I can relate to them in some way, because its such an opposite thing its brilliant and I find it intriguing. I love where its set aswell, its filmed in Richmond, Virgina and it just looks very nice and chill. You usually see films that are filmed in America that are set in New York and Los Angles, so its refreshing to be set in Virgina. Overall its a very good film, I'm so glad I watched it because there are characters who are brilliant, like Johnny, Gerry and Nate who are all brilliantly written, This post might seem controversial, as this film is controversial but I wanted to talk about it because its unique. So if you're like me and fascinated by this then watch it, if not that's fine too.